Overview
304 is the general-purpose 18/8 austenitic stainless steel. It resists most atmospheric and food-related corrosion, is non-magnetic in the annealed state and has a clean, bright machined finish.
It work-hardens during cutting, so it machines slower than carbon steel; choose 303 when machining time dominates and 316 for chlorides.
Key Properties
Typical values from the MatWeb datasheet for 304 Stainless Steel (UNS S30400); Annealed Plate. Machined parts take the properties of the stock they are cut from.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | ≥ 515 MPa |
| Yield strength | 330 MPa @ 24.0 °C |
| Elongation at break | ≥ 40 % |
| Hardness | HRB 92 |
| Modulus of elasticity | 193 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 16.2 W/m-K |
| Melting range | 1400–1455 °C |
| Magnetic permeability | 1.02 |
Typical Applications
- Food and beverage equipment
- Medical and laboratory parts
- Enclosures and shafts
- General corrosion-resistant hardware
Machining Notes
Use sharp tools and constant chip load to avoid work hardening. Can be passivated or electropolished after machining.
